Admitted to Practice

James C. Grant

Jim Grant has over 30 years of experience representing clients in complex commercial litigation and class actions, including appeals in the Washington Supreme Court, federal circuit courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His practice focuses on internet businesses and websites in cases across the country, handling several high-profile actions concerning free speech, state regulatory efforts, privacy, and consumer, marketing, and business practices. Jim formerly was vice president and chief litigation counsel for AT&T Wireless, and he also has extensive experience in litigation and dealings with government authorities concerning telecommunications, tax, and technology issues.

Representative Experience

Backpage.com LLC v. Chiesa et al.

Secured an order permanently enjoining enforcement of N.J.S.A. § 2C:13-10, which makes it a crime to knowingly publish, disseminate, display, or to "directly or indirectly" cause offending content to be published. The court held the law violated Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230, and the First Amendment and Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. (D.N.J. 2014)

Backpage.com LLC v. Cooper et al.

Secured an order permanently enjoining enforcement of T.C.A. § 39-13-314, which makes it a felony to "sell or offer to sell" certain advertisements, as well as attorneys’ fees incurred in bringing constitutional challenge. The court held the law violated Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, 47 U.S.C. § 230, and the First Amendment and Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. (M.D. Tenn. 2014)

Jones v. Dirty World Entertainment Recordings LLC

Submitted amicus brief on behalf of online service providers, including major technology companies and news media, arguing for reversal of district court's narrow interpretation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals ultimately reversed and vacated the judgment, endorsing a broad interpretation of Section 230 which permits websites and service providers to engage in traditional editorial functions without becoming liable for user content. (6th Cir. 2014)

Routt v. Amazon.com, Inc.

Defended Amazon against claims that it was liable for the allegedly infringing acts of participants in its marketing program. The trial court dismissed complaint and amended complaint under Rule 12(b)(6), and the 9th Circuit affirmed. (2014)

Backpage.com LLC v. McKenna et al.

Represented Backpage.com in its constitutional challenge to Washington SB 6251, which made it a felony to knowingly publish, disseminate, display, or to "directly or indirectly" cause offending content to be published. Secured temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction enjoining enforcement of law based on court's finding that SB 6251 was likely preempted by section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments and Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. State thereafter stipulated to permanent injunction and paid $200,000 in attorneys’ fees. (2013)

Meyer v. National wireless carrier

Represented national wireless carrier in a putative consumer class action challenging surcharge assessments for California State universal service programs. (2012)

Geise v. Amazon.com

Represented Amazon.com in putative nationwide product liability and consumer class action alleging that the Amazon Kindle was defective and had a propensity to crack. Case was settled for $50,000 and with no discovery costs incurred. (2010)